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How to ApplyRequest Info
Homeland Security Rescue helicopter

Graduate Certificate inHomeland Security

Summary Courses Careers Costs and Aid

Gain an understanding of homeland security issues that apply at all levels of government and national security, as well as in the private sector, with this online homeland security certificate program.

100% Online

Complete your Penn State course work at your own pace and 100% online.

Apply by May 1 to start May 19

12 Credits$1,027 per credit

Gain Skills to Prevent and Respond to Man-Made and Natural Disasters

  • Work within the parameters of Congressional acts, presidential directives, and national strategies that influence decision-making in homeland security. 

  • Identify the roles and shared responsibility of key agencies and partners at federal, state, and local levels, and of the private sector. 

  • Plan and organize imperatives related to homeland security and emergency management. 

  • Utilize the all-hazards and whole-community approach to national preparedness and emergency management. 

This 12-credit graduate certificate helps shape future leaders by teaching a broad-based knowledge of homeland security issues and strategies at the local, state, and federal levels, as well as in the private sector.

Required Courses (6 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Fundamentals of Homeland Security provides foundational knowledge about homeland security policy, strategy, organization, and legal issues in the U.S. context.

  • 3
    credits

    Analyzes, evaluates, and critiques homeland security plans in practice.

Electives (choose 6 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Provides knowledge about protection of critical infrastructure as an aspect of homeland security

  • 3
    credits

    Addresses international cooperation in Homeland Security and compare select national approaches as well as teach related practical methods of analysis.

    • Prerequisite

      HLS 801, HLS 803, HLS 805, and PADM 802 (In certain cases, students may be eligible for a prerequisite waiver based on prior academic or professional experience.)

  • 3
    credits

    Explores psychological impact of disasters and terrorist attacks on victims, families, rescuers, and society and methods of reducing negative effects.

  • 3
    credits

    The homeland security framework depends on strategic planning and organization. This course examines the key issues associated with these.

  • 3
    credits

    Examination of the roles of the public and private sectors and the military in preparing for, mitigating, and responding to disasters.

  • 3
    credits

    Provides new insights of the emerging threats, disruptive technologies, and techniques for analyzing them to plan for the future of Homeland Security.

  • 3
    credits

    This course will provide an overview of transnational crime and its effects on homeland security.

  • 3
    credits

    Provides an overview of the homeland defense mission and defense support of civil authorities during disasters, and the distinctions between the two.

    • Prerequisite

      HLS 801

  • 3
    credits

    This course assesses the controlling authorities that pertain to homeland security, from the U.S. Constitution to major federal statutes, court decisions, and executive directives.

    • 3
      credits

      Integrating multiple functional business areas to resolve global business problems and improve organizational performance.

    • 3
      credits

      Overview of human behavior in organizations, and implications for managing and leading individuals, teams, and organizations.

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.

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You can use the knowledge gained from this program and the support of Penn State career resources to pursue careers in a variety of fields, depending on your goals.

Job Titles Related to This Degree

As a graduate with this certificate, you can find work in such occupations as:

  • emergency management
  • facilities management
  • disaster recovery
  • education
  • administration/management
  • policy planning
  • community practice
  • research

Career Services to Set You Up for Success

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From the day you're accepted as a student, you can access resources and tools provided by Penn State World Campus Career Services to further your career. These resources are beneficial whether you're searching for a job or advancing in an established career.

  • Opportunities to connect with employers
  • Career counselor/coach support
  • Occupation and salary information
  • Internships
  • Graduate school resources 

Upcoming Event

Preparedness in Rural Communities: National and State/Local Perspectives and Plans

Ready to Learn More?

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Learn more about this program

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Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State graduate certificate?

Apply by May 1 to start May 19. How to Apply 

Learn about this program's tuition, fees, scholarship opportunities, grants, payment options, and military benefits.

Graduate Tuition

Graduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.

2024–25 Academic Year Rates

Tuition rates for the fall 2024, spring 2025, and summer 2025 semesters.
How many credits do you plan to take per semester?Cost
11 or fewer$1,027 per credit
12 or more$12,325 per semester

2025–26 Academic Year Rates

Tuition rates for the fall 2025, spring 2026, and summer 2026 semesters.
How many credits do you plan to take per semester?Cost
11 or fewer$1,037 per credit
12 or more$12,448 per semester

Paying for Your Certificate

Students pursuing a certificate are considered "nondegree," a status that is not eligible for federal student aid, including the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program. A private alternative loan may be an option to consider.

Additionally, Penn State offers many ways to pay for your education, including an installment plan and third-party payments. Penn State World Campus also offers an Employer Reimbursement and Tuition Deferment Plan. Learn more about the options for paying for your education.

Students pursuing a degree and meeting all other eligibility requirements may qualify for financial aid.

Military Benefits

Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.

Additional Cost of Attendance Details

To view the detailed list of cost of attendance elements:

Technical Requirements

Review the technical requirements for this program.

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Not only can this program help create opportunities in your career, it can also give you a solid head start toward a full master’s degree.

Degree Program Related to This Certificate

The 12 credits earned for this certificate can be applied to the following Penn State World Campus degree program, if you apply and are accepted into the program:

Learn from one of the first and most comprehensive homeland security programs. You may complete the base program or choose from a diverse range of specialization options — all designed to develop highly trained future leaders in roles that include national security.

Learn more

This certificate is ideal for federal, state, and local emergency management officials, law enforcement personnel, and members of the military, as well as employees connected with the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies looking for a broad-based homeland security education.

The program is open to candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree. Individuals in the private sector — including finance corporations, insurance agencies, and security consultants — may find the program provides valuable and relevant skills.

Adult student doing course work online while a child plays nearby

Whether you are looking to finish your program as quickly as possible or balance your studies with your busy life, Penn State World Campus can help you achieve your education goals. Many students take one or two courses per semester.

Our online courses typically follow a 12- to 15-week semester cycle, and there are three semesters per year (spring, summer, and fall). If you plan to take a heavy course load, you should expect your course work to be your primary focus and discuss your schedule with your academic adviser. 

To Finish Your Certificate in Less than a Year

  • Take 3–4 courses each semester

To Finish Your Certificate in One Year

  • Take 2–3 courses each semester 

To Finish Your Certificate in Two Years

  • Take 1 course each semester

Timelines may vary based on course availability.

Convenient Online Format

This program's convenient online format gives you the flexibility you need to study around your busy schedule. You can skip the lengthy commute without sacrificing the quality of your education and prepare yourself for more rewarding career opportunities without leaving your home.

A Trusted Leader in Online Education

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Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades. Our online learning environment offers the same quality education that our students experience on campus.

Information for Military and Veterans

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Are you a member of the military, a veteran, or a military spouse? Please visit our military website for additional information regarding financial aid, transfer credits, and application instructions.

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Apply by May 1 to start May 19

Application Instructions

Deadlines and Important Dates

Complete your application and submit all required materials by the appropriate deadline. Your deadline will depend on the semester you plan to start your courses.

  • Summer Deadline

    Apply by May 1 to start May 19

  • Fall Deadline

    Apply by August 1 to start August 25

  • Spring Deadline

    Apply by December 1, 2025, to start January 12, 2026

Steps to Apply

  1. For admission to the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.

  2. Applications are submitted electronically and include a nonrefundable application fee. You will need to upload the following items as part of your application:

    Official transcripts from each institution attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. If you are a Penn State alum, you do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State but must list Penn State as part of your academic history.

    GPA and Test Scores — Postsecondary (undergraduate), junior/senior (last two years) GPA is required. 

    GRE or GMAT scores are NOT required for admission. 

    English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the Fox Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.

  3. To begin the online application, you will need a Penn State account.

    Create a New Penn State Account

    If you have any problems during this process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].

    Please note: Former Penn State students may not need to complete the admissions application or create a new Penn State account. Please visit our Returning Students page for instructions.

  4. You can begin your online application at any time. Your progress within the online application system will be saved as you go, allowing you to return at any point as you gather additional information and required materials.

    • Choose Enrollment Type: "Certificate Admission"
    • Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus

    Checking Your Status 
    You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form. 

  5. 5. Complete the application.

    Penn State Fox Graduate School Application

Admissions Help

If you have questions about the admissions process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].

Customer service representative wearing a headset

Have questions or want more information? We're happy to talk.

To learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security, please use the contacts below.

For questions regarding how to apply, contact:

World Campus Admissions Counselors
Phone: 814-863-5386
[email protected]

For questions about the program, contact:

Autumn Kreider
Homeland Security Degree Base Program, Certificate, and Undergraduate Minor
School of Public Affairs
777 West Harrisburg Pike
160W Olmsted Building
Middletown, PA 17057
Phone: 717-948-6799
Fax: 717-948-6320
[email protected]

The Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security is offered in partnership with the Penn State Harrisburg School of Public Affairs. Our courses are taught by distinguished faculty who have special training and experience teaching in an online environment.

Based on a partnership of six colleges, the Penn State Homeland Security portfolio is one of the nation's most respected and comprehensive HLS programs, designed to educate professionals and prepare leaders to make societies more secure in a global era of evolving threats in an all-hazards spectrum. 

Faculty

  • Emma Leonard Boyle, Ph.D.

    • Ph.D., Political Science and African Studies, Penn State
    • M.A., Political Science, Penn State
    • M.Sc., African Studies, Oxford University
    • M.A., International Relations, The University of St Andrews

    Emma Leonard Boyle is an associate professor of political science and the chair of the homeland security programs. She received her Ph.D. in Political Science and African Studies from Penn State, and her research interests include terrorism, the geography of political violence, and gender-based violence in civil wars. She has previously worked at the Center for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence (CSTPV) at the University of St Andrews and the International Center for the Study of Terrorism (ICST) at Penn State.

  • Nicholas Eftimiades

    • M.S., Strategic Intelligence, National Defense Intelligence College
    • B.A., East Asian Studies, George Washington University

    Nicholas Eftimiades retired from the U.S. Department of Defense. His 34-year government career includes employment in the CIA as a technical operations officer, a special agent in the U.S. Department of StateBureau of Diplomatic Security, and a senior intelligence officer in the Defense Intelligence Agency. He held positions in analysis, human and technical intelligence collection, and management, with numerous overseas assignments.

Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State graduate certificate?

Apply by May 1 to start May 19. How to Apply 

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